CREW WATCH | ADVICE SEAFARERS AS KEY WORKERS All signatory countries should designate and recognise seafarers as key workers and take measures to ensure their safe movement for joining ships, shore leave, repatriation, crew changes, and medical care ashore. REPATRIATION When repatriating a seafarer, the shipowner must bear the minimum costs up to the destination. These include travel expenses, food and accommodation, up to 30 kg of personal luggage, and medical treatment costs until the seafarer is declared medically fit. If national laws, regulations, or collective agreements mandate it, then the seafarer should receive wages and allowances until reaching the destination. Signatory countries must allow the repatriation of seafarers without any form of discrimination. SHORE LEAVE All signatory countries shall facilitate shore leave without any form of discrimination, once the ship's arrival formalities are completed, unless there are serious reasons related to public health, public safety and security, or public order. Seafarers should not be required to obtain a visa or permit for shore leave. For the sake of seafarers' health and wellbeing, shipowners must allow shore leave when seafarers are off duty, provided that it does not compromise the safety or operation of the ship. Signatory countries should establish procedures, in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, to facilitate shore leave and provide training to personnel on seafarers' rights, including their right to shore leave. FAIR TREATMENT OF SEAFARERS DETAINED OR WHEN CONDUCTING CASUALTY INVESTIGATIONS All signatory countries should handle cases involving detained seafarers promptly and ensure consular access. When conducting investigations into marine casualties, States should take into account the principles outlined in the Casualty Investigation Code. In both cases, the IMO/ ILO guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers detained in connection with alleged crimes¹ and on marine accidents² must be duly considered. ONBOARD COMPLAINT PROCEDURES The standard onboard complaint procedures are amended JOBIN MATHEW, ASSISTANT LOSS PREVENTION MANAGER, BRITANNIA P&I THE LATEST AMENDMENTS TO THE MLC, 2006, WERE APPROVED BY THE 113TH SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE (ILC) ON 6 JUNE 2025. THESE AMENDMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ENTER INTO FORCE ON 23 DECEMBER 2027. THE AMENDMENTS PROVIDE CLARIFICATION AND NEW GUIDANCE ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, WITH HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDING: MARITIME LABOUR CONVENTION (MLC) 2006: 2025 UPDATES 10 | CREW WATCH Crew Watch Autumn_25.9.25.indd 10Crew Watch Autumn_25.9.25.indd 1025/09/2025 15:2725/09/2025 15:27 CREW WATCH | 11 CREW WATCH | ADVICE to include “appropriate shore-side personnel” as an additional authority to whom onboard complaints can be raised. The definition of “victimisation” related to complaints has also been expanded to cover adverse actions taken by any person against complainants, victims, witnesses, and whistle-blowers, including in cases where a complaint is vexatious or made with malicious intent. MEDICAL TRAINING, MEDICAL CHEST CONTENTS AND EQUIPMENT The latest edition of the International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers 3 has been included among the recommended references for Flag States when deciding both the medical training required for seafarers and the contents of a ship’s medical chest and equipment. MEASURES TO PREVENT AND ADDRESS VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT, INCLUDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT, BULLYING, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT Flag